Muhammad, who won bronze at London 2012 was left standing stunned as Cisse celebrated the win.

Peter Cziborra / Reuters
Lutalo Muhammad won silver on Friday night

Muhammad had set the pace in a dramatic and keenly contested final, scoring with a three-point head kick in the first and edging back ahead early in the last after the Ivorian responded with a three-pointer of his own.

The Briton led 6-4 going into the final moments when Cisse clawed back a single point then struck for the most incredible of finishes as the clock ticked down to zero.

When reminded that 2016 has seen Team GB’s best Olympics results in the taekwondo, Muhammad said: “It was incredible but I was so close to the Olympic champion.

“I know I’ve got to hold it to together but the emotion is so raw. It’s hard to put it into words how disappointed I am.”

Although he did add: “I’m proud to have contributed ot GB’s record-breaking tally.”

But while Muhammad repeatedly apologised for losing the gold medal match, Brits, including Olympic rower Helen Glover, MP Stella Creasy and BBC presenter Dan Walker, were having absolutely none of it and tweeted their support...